Teeth Whitening

– What's your definition of a beautiful smile? While many different attributes may come to mind as you envision a great looking grin, white teeth are almost certainly a part of your image. A pearly white smile greatly contributes to your appearance, but most adults don't have gorgeously white teeth. Years of drinking coffee, soda and tea can leave stains behind on the enamel, and if you smoke cigarettes or take certain prescription medications, your teeth are even more prone to becoming yellow. Fortunately, there are ways to promote a whiter smile, and drugstore.com makes it easy for you to find the best solutions for your needs in our teeth whitening department.read more about for teeth whitening »

Whitening kits are one of the most popular types of whitening products designed for use at home. These kits usually contain trays or strips that are applied to the teeth and left in place for a certain number of minutes. The systems typically use hydrogen peroxide or a similar chemical to dissolve the materials that make up the stains on the dental enamel. Many whitening kits are designed to lighten the teeth up to a certain number of shades within a set number of treatments.

Another oral care teeth whitening product often used at home is the whitening toothpaste. This type of whitening solution is used in place of traditional toothpaste during tooth-brushing. Whitening toothpastes may contain hydrogen peroxide and work similarly to whitening kits, or they use abrasives to remove staining with friction. Many people find whitening toothpastes to be convenient, as they do not require the addition of an extra step to a daily oral care regimen; however, the results of whitening toothpastes typically take longer to become visible than the results seen from whitening kits. Some people combine whitening toothpastes with whitening kits or use them after completing a kit to maintain results.

There are a number of other whitening products on the market today that can be beneficial for those with stained teeth, particularly when they are used to add to the effects of whitening kits or toothpastes. Mouthwashes and dental flosses that contain whitening ingredients can easily be added to a daily dental hygiene regimen. These products are beneficial because they can reach areas of the teeth that a toothbrush or whitening tray or strip may miss, such as between the teeth and right along the gum line. Whitening chewing gum is also available and can help to brighten the teeth, especially along the chewing surfaces.

While teeth whitening products are generally safe, they may not be appropriate for everyone. If you have gum disease, sensitive teeth or another oral care problem, you should consult your dentist before using any type of at-home teeth whitening product. Once you're sure that teeth whitening at home is safe for you, shop our department to find the right product to suit your lifestyle and your oral care needs. You can view a specific type of teeth whitening product by clicking the links on the left-hand side of the page, so that you can find the perfect whitening product in no time.